Tacoma Teeth Whitening at Dentist

Teeth WhiteningTacoma, WA

If you want a gorgeous smile, visit us for teeth whitening at the dentist. In our Tacoma dental office, we provide professional teeth whitening services that can turn your dull and stained teeth into sparkling, pearly whites. The process is easy and all you need to do is call (253) 336-0016 to get started. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Korsmo and we will do everything in our power to improve your smile.

Request An Appointment

How does teeth whitening at the dentist work?

At Korsmo Family Dental, we can provide you with teeth whitening using professional-grade whitening solution. This is an important distinction to make because the whitening kits that are sold in the store contain solution that is not nearly as strong and will not produce the same level of results. Patients may also visit our office after trying a kit at home and wish they had come here first. The reason for the difference is that a store-bought solution will typically only remove the surface stains from the teeth. This can help to eliminate some of the stains caused by recent food or beverage consumption. It will not remove the deep staining and discoloration that is coming from within the tooth, but our solution will.

Why teeth whitening at the dentist produces better results.

It all comes down to oxidization. When placing our whitening solution on your teeth it will not stop at the enamel, but penetrate it. Once inside of your tooth, our solution will work to start the process of oxidization so that the molecules inside of your teeth will reflect less light. By appearing colorless, your teeth will look like a brilliant shade of white.

Can anyone have their teeth whitened?

At Korsmo Family Dental, we recommend whitening procedures for adults and some older teens. This is not an appropriate procedure for children and, fortunately, they very rarely need it. Before determining if someone is a good candidate for teeth whitening, we conduct a thorough examination. This is to determine if there are any signs of cavities, infection or gum disease. These oral health problems require treatment prior to conducting any cosmetic dentistry procedures. This is to ensure that we are not putting whitening solution on a tooth that is decaying or exposed. Naturally, this could cause you discomfort and only exasperate the situation. Fortunately, if we do find any oral health problems, we can correct them quickly and schedule you for a teeth whitening treatment right away.

Check out what others are saying about our teeth whitening services on Yelp: Teeth Whitening Tacoma

The process

How can I keep my teeth white after a treatment?

At Korsmo Family Dental we tell patients that there are plenty of ways to extend the time periods between whitening treatments. These include drinking plenty of water and doing so every time that you eat or have another beverage like coffee. You should also brush your teeth after every meal or after having something that is particularly staining. It is important to avoid any food or drinks that have food coloring in them, are acidic, full of tannins, etc. Things like coffee, red wine, and soy sauce can be particularly bad for your teeth, so consume them in moderation only.

Does whitening toothpaste really work?

As a dentist, we recommend that you use a whitening toothpaste in between treatments. This paste can help to keep surface stains at bay so that your teeth will remain whiter for a longer period of time. It does an excellent job when it comes to maintenance. It does not, however, do a good job of whitening teeth the first go round. In this case, it may make your teeth appear brighter but you will not experience stain removal or see your teeth lighten by more than a shade or two. This is because the paste only works on the surface..

Is teeth whitening at the dentist expensive?

No, not at all. This is an incredibly affordable treatment solution and typically, the most affordable way to improve the appearance of the teeth and your smile. As a dental office, we recommend this solution for anyone considering a smile makeover or more intensive cosmetic dentistry procedures like dental veneers and dental crowns. Very often, a dental whitening treatment can make such a positive impact that people no longer need these more invasive solutions. Since it is fast and affordable, there is no reason not to try it.

Does it matter when I whiten my teeth?

Absolutely. First, your teeth and gums should be in good oral health. Second, if you are having a cosmetic procedure like dental veneers placed on your front teeth or a tooth capped or replaced, you should have your teeth whitened first. For the most part, dental restorations are both stain and bleach resistant. They are created to match your surrounding teeth so if you wait to have your teeth whitened until after a restoration has been placed, your restoration could look more yellow than your teeth do after the whitening treatment. When it comes to teeth whitening, timing is critical for ensuring a beautiful smile.

At Korsmo Family Dental we welcome your questions. If you would like to learn more about teeth whitening at the dentist and what it can do for you, call 253-336-0016 to schedule an appointment to meet Dr. Korsmo at our Tacoma dental office.

Definition of Cosmetic Dentistry Terminology
Bleachorexia
Bleachorexia is when people continue to abuse teeth whitening solutions without consulting professionals, causing significant damage to their enamel and gums in the process.
Carbamide Peroxide
Carbamide peroxide is a solution that contains hydrogen peroxide and can help to whiten teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
Deeper Teeth Stains
Deeper teeth stains are stains that require professional oral health services and can result from certain foods, beverages or improper oral hygiene.
Dentin Hypersensitivity
Dentin hypersensitivity is when the enamel wears down on the tooth enough that the dentin faces exposure and will cause great levels of pain when a person applies pressure to the tooth or drinks hot/cold beverages.
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound in teeth whitening solutions that patients use to whiten the shade of their teeth.
Relief ACP
Relief ACP stands for amorphous calcium phosphate, which helps to relieve the pain in sensitive teeth in a gel form.
Stained Dentin
Stained dentin can result from certain foods and beverages with a lack of proper brushing. Dental professionals can provide whitening treatments to brighten the teeth.
Surface Enamel
The surface enamel is the hard outer shell that protects the dentin and pulp of the teeth. The enamel is the surface that people see when one smiles.
Surface Teeth Stains
While surface teeth stains can be inevitable with age, certain foods and beverages will only promote discoloration and faded teeth.
Teeth Whitening Concentrate
Teeth whitening concentrate is the bleaching agent that whitens the shade of teeth, which is more effective from a professional and not a general store product.

Back to top of Teeth Whitening